Who is attending the inaugural "by the seat of your pants"?

[Subdivisions]

Who is planning to attend the inaugural despite the fact that you have no ticket? I am planning to attend but I don't have a ticket. Can I still get one? Will I get to attend? Isn't there only about 240,000 tickets available despite the expectation of up to 3 million people attending?

I will be driving and I've already made reservations at a hotel about 40 minutes from DC. Will I be able to get onto the Mall or the Parade route without a ticket?

Any info or advice from those attending will be appreciated. Thanks! :D

[bdamomma]

1. why don't you call your Reps or Senators offices.

[n2doc]

2. I'm planning on going

Forget those who say you need a ticket or who say tickets are available. They aren't. But you can go down to the National Mall and stand with the rest of us! You can also decide to wait on the parade route (opens up at 7 am). Check out the Washington Post for more details, they cover things like transportation and where to go. Your biggest issue will be getting from your hotel to the Mall, and back. It will be crowded, frustrating, but I suspect exhilarating and unforgettable as well.

[sandnsea]

3. Most people are going without tickets

The Mall is being opened to more people than ever, although you will be watching a jumbotron and not the actual swearing in. The parade is open to everybody. There are events beginning on Sunday, Saturday if you count the train. Where did you get a hotel, I might want to add it to the hotel ideas section.

http://www.obama-mamas.com/inauguration.html

[arcadian]

4. You probably won't be able to get into D.C.

And if you do, you won't be able to find parking. Where is your hotel? Fredricksburg?

[NeedleCast]

5. In Case you Don't Know

DC is expecting something like 5 million additional people which roughly doubles the size of the DC metro area population. If you don't live here and haven't made arrangements for somewhere to stay, you're probably SOL.

It is going to be agnozing to get around DC on the 20th. All bridges from Virgina will be closed. You will have to ride the bus, shuttles or subway and they will be furiously packed with people.

I am well stocked with wine and munchies and will enjoy the festivities from the comfort of my living room.